asked the Taoiseach if he will state, in so far as can be ascertained, the numbers emigrating in 1984 and the comparable figure for 1982 and 1979.

, Dún Laoghaire): The best estimates available of net migration in recent years are:

for the years 1979-1981, net migration outwards of some 5,000 for the two years or net emigration of 2,500 a year;

for the years 1981-1984, net migration outwards for the three years of some 18,000 or net emigration of 6,000 a year.

I should stress that the only reliable estimates of migration flows are those for net migration between successive Censuses of Population. These estimates are obtained as the difference between the change in the total population on successive census dates and the excess of births over deaths in the same period. For the period since the 1981 census, therefore, only very tentative estimates of net migration are available based on provisional population estimates.

Will the Minister of State tell the House which emigration figures were taken into the assumptions in the formulation of the plan, Building on Reality?

(Dún Laoghaire): That is a separate question.

I am asking a question about emigration for 1984 and I want to know if that was the figure that was taken into consideration in the plan, Building on Reality? If it was it does not tie up with a lot of other figures in that plan.

This is a statistical question and the question the Deputy is now asking would be more appropriate for somebody else.

I have asked the Minister of State if he will confirm that the figures he has given me were the figures which were taken into consideration in the plan, Building on Reality? Either they are or are not.

That is a separate question.

I should like to know if it is intended to extract more accurate information in regard to emigration figures when the next census is being taken? Will the Minister of State tell the House when the next census will be taken?

(Dún Laoghaire): That is a separate question.

Do the Government want to postpone the census also?